Climbing rope gymnastic apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose gymnastic apparatus which is adaptable to indoor and outdoor play areas and which is quick and inexpensive to install is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of thin, elongated, flexible support members which are vertically disposed by being anchored at the top and bottom ends to anchor supports and a plurality of climbing ropes horizontally and limply suspended between various ones of the support members. The ends of the climbing ropes have adjustable connectors which are detachably secured along the length of the vertically disposed flexible support members. The upright support members are of a flexible material which may include in part a chain link portion which cooperates with the adjustable connectors of the climbing ropes to provide the adjustable connections. The flexibility of the apparatus is illustrated by the fact that two, three, four or more upright support members may be arranged in various configurations between upper and lower anchor supports with the climbing ropes strung therebetween and at various levels. Additional exercising devices such as ladders, bars, rings, swings, etc., may be arranged on the apparatus.

United States Patent 1191 Toman A [76] Inventor:

[ 1 CLIMBING ROPE GYMNASTIC APPARATUS Thomas G. Toman, 210 S. Yale Ave., Arlington Heights, 111. 60005 '22 Filed: Sept. 17, 1971 211 App1.No.: 181,349

[52] US. Cl. 272/60 [51] lnt.-Cl. A63b 7/04, A63b 17/04 [58] Field of Search. 272/57 R, 60, 61,23, 24, l R, 272/62, 63; 182/190, 196, 197, 198, 199; 35/29 R;211/119, 119.1; 119/82 Primary'Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examinerl-larry G.'Strappe11o 1 Feb. 26, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A multi-purpose gymnastic apparatus which is adaptable to indoor and outdoor play areas and which is quick and inexpensive to install is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of thin, elongated, flexible support members which are vertically disposed by being anchored at the top and bottom ends to anchor supports and a plurality of climbing ropes horizontally and limply suspended between various ones of the support members. The ends of the climbing ropes have adjustable connectors which are detachably secured along the length of the vertically disposed flexible support members. The upright support members are of a flexible material which may include in part a chain link portion which cooperates with the adjustable connectors of the climbing ropes to provide the adjustable connections. The flexibility of the apparatus is illustrated by the fact that two, three, four or more upright support members may be arranged in various configurations between upper and lower anchor supports with the climbing ropes strung therebetween and at various levels. Additional exercising devices such as ladders, bars, rings, swings, etc., may be arranged on the apparatus.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures l CLIMBING ROPE GYMNASTIC APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention generally relates to physical education equipment and more particularly concerns a multipurpose gymnastic apparatus which is highly adaptable to play areas, is quick and inexpensive to install, and serves very well for developing arm, hand, back and shoulder strength as well as coordination for the users.

2. Prior Art In the instruction of physical education and gymnastics I have found that the equipment available from the prior art is complex, expensive, difficult to adapt to various play areas, and does not provide the flexibility of of activities. Moreover, only a relatively small number of body muscles are fully developed.

With regard to horizontally arranged devices it is known, for example, to have a generally inverted U- shape structure of metal pipe anchored to a playing surface and having a ladder-like structure horizontally positioned above the playing surface whereby exercise is provided for. users who swing by their hands with their feet off the ground and traverse the ladder-like structure from end to end. This also provides an inflexible placement in activities.

in addition, the costs of these various facilities is high, their flexibility of separate use leaves much to be desired, and their ability to stimulate and maintain a' persons interest is relatively low. Considering thatthe importance of a high degree of physical conditioning was recognized by such early-thinkers as Plato who in 364 BC said: For the first years of life education shall be predominantly physical. Every school is to have a gym and a playground. Play and sports are to be the entire curriculum and in this decade such health will be stored as willmake all medicine unnecessary", long before the recent general awareness in this country, it is important that the gymnastic facilities be provided to not only allow those interested to participate, but also to make others want-to try gymnastics. From my study of the art such innovation of new and stimulating equipment has, prior to my invention, been extremely limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Recognizing the shortcomings in the prior art of adaptability to various locations, flexibility of arrangement of activies, simplicity and stimulation of interest, I have invented a gymnastic system that overcomes these disadvantages with a simple, convenient and economical stru'ctural arrangement. The gymnastic apparatus according to my invention comprises aplurality of interrelated gymnastic means easily positionable be- 10 prises a plurality of generally vertical, thin, elongated,

upright supporting means having a climbing rope means generally horizontally and limply suspended between various ones of the supporting members with the ends of the climbing rope means being connected to 15 the supporting members by an adjustable connection means.

According to my invention the upright supporting means is of a flexible material which may include in part at least a chain link portion which cooperates with 20 the ends of the rope means to provide an adjustable connection means.

The flexibility of the system is illustrated by the fact that two, three, four or more upright supporting means may be arranged in various configurations between an 25 upper and lower supporting means with various ele ments such as the climbing rope means strung therebetween and atvarious levels. Thus, for example, four upright supporting means may be arranged in various configurations between an upper and lower supporting 30 means with various elements such as the climbing rope means strung therebetween and at various levels. Also, for example, with four upright supporting means positioned at the corners of a rectangle, the climbing rope means may be horizontally positioned peripherally and diagonally about and between the upright supporting means with other elements such as a bar having swings or rings depending therefrom, a horizontally disposed climbing ladder-like structure and vertically disposed climbing ropes coordinated therewith to provide an integrated system adaptable to various conditions of gymnastic development use and location.

The plurality of upright supporting means may each have their upper end affixed to an upper suspension means such as a ceiling beam to suspend it therefrom and a lower end affixed to a lower end stabilizing means such as a floor anchor, heavy weight or other suitable means.

in the example of an arrangement including four uprights supporting means, two through six, l2, 18 or more climbing rope means may be connected therebe-' tween. By way of further example, it will be understood that with the four upright supporting means the climbing rope means may be arranged in a spiral form about the periphery with interconnecting diagonally arranged members of various slopes, with ladders, bars, beams and swings otherwise arranged thereon. With these arrangements for example, various paths may be set up for races, relays or'the like. I

In another example of a variation of the apparatus of the invention herein a plurality of upright supports arranged in a generally rectangular l'orm may have a plu rality of climbing rope means adjustahly connected to the vertical support members and in addition one of said climbing rope means may have a bar and swing,

ring means suspended therefrom, another of the climbing rope meansmay have a plurality of vertically disposed climbing means associated therewith, and two opposed climbing rope means may have one or two ladder-like means connected therebetween generally at the midpoint of the climbing ropes. In the combinations of the examples it may be seen that stimulating arrangements of activities may be quickly and conveniently made. Thus, courses of traverse of the equipment by a great number of participants may be readily effected to maximize use of the apparatus and stimulate interest and competition whereby the ultimate goal of a wide range of muscle development and coordination may be obtained.

In a further embodiment of my invention the upright supporting means may be in the form of a chain of in-v terconnected large ring-like structures which may also serve as climbing ladders to allow access to various levels of climbing rope means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, although variations and'modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of an embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of my invention utilizing three upright supporting means and three climbing rope means;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a further embodiment of my invention utilizing four upright supporting means and six climbing rope means;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of my invention utilizing four upright supporting means with two opposite climbing rope means supporting a pair of ladder-like means therebetween; and,

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of my invention showing four upright supporting means having a plurality of vertically disposed climbing rope means suspended therebetween and showing the position of a user of the climbing rope.

DESCRIPTION OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the perspective elevational view of an embodiment of my invention in FIG. 1 there may be seen four generally upright supporting means generally indicated at 10, 20, 30 and 40 respectively arranged between respective upper and lower supporting means 11, 12; 21, 22; 31, 32; and 41, 42.FIG. 1 is shown in a perspective elevational view and, if viewed in plan, the upright supporting members10, 20, 30 and 40 would appear generally at the corners of a rectangle.

Each of the upright supporting members may include one or more thin, flexible means consisting of rope, chain-link material, wire or the like. As illustrated, the upright supporting members 10, 20, 30 and 40 comprise a first portion having a suffix a" and a second portion having a suffix b. The portions 100 and 20a have a bar means 50 connected therebetween and suspended generally parallel to a floor play area indicated by the letter F. The bar means 50 may have a connec' tion means 51, 52 at opposite ends thereof to permit adjustable connection to the portions a, a. In this regard I have it found particularly advantageous to have a portion of the length of the portions 10a, 20a,

which are to define the range of movement of the bar 50, constructed of a chain-link material to provide for ease of vertical adjustment of the bar means 50. It is also a part of my invention that the portions 10a, 20a be of a climbing rope-like material for the portion of their lengths which extends from the lower support means 12, 22, respectively, to the connection means 51, 52. With that portion being of rope-like material it is possible for a user to climb up the portion 10a to the bar means or to reach gymnastic means attached thereto such as the rings 53, 54 or the swing 55. Similarly, the upright supporting member portion 20a may also include a rope-like segment or other covering means more acceptable to'being held by a bare hand than is the chain-link means. Similar arrangements may be provided for the portions 30a and 40a. Indeed, my invention contemplates the use of a chain-link material along the extent of a member where adjustable connections are desired and the provision of climbing ropelike material in those areas of the system where bare hands will contact it. Examples of the latter include manila hemp rope, dacron, leather sheathed material and other suitable substances.

The second or b portions of the upright supporting members 10 and 40 have a member extending therebetween, which as shown, may support a first end 71 of a ladder-like structure 70. Similarly, the b portions of the upright supporting members 20 and 30 may have a thin elongated member extending therebetween which, as shown, may support a second end 72 of the ladder-like structure 70. The attachment of the ladderlike structure at its end 71 and 72 to the members 60, 65 may be by hook-like means hooked over the members 60, 65 so that they may be continuous and so that the ladder-like means 70 may be quickly and securely attached and readily removed. Where extra stability of the ladder-like structure 70 is required, such as for example, where small children are traversing the structure 70, I have provided additional support members 63, 68 extending respectively between the lower support means 12 and 42 with an attachment therebetween at ladder end 72 and between the lower support means 22 and 32 with an attachment therebetween to the ladder end 72; It must be understood that the height of the ladder structure Never the floor play area F may be varied by raising the connection points 61 of the member 60 with the portions 10b, 40b and the connections of the member 65 with the portions 20b and 30b. It is also contemplated that the members 63 and 68 may also be attached at their ends to the b portions at a point above their connection to the lower support members. In each case the elongated, thin rope-like members illustrated may have appropriate means thereon for adjusting their length and/or degree of tautness so that the proper conditions for use of the system may be readily effected. It is furthermore contemplated that the members 60 and 65, for example, may be further stabilized by the provision of connecting members 80, 82, 84 and 86 between their connection to the portions b and lateral support means 81,

83, and 87, respectively.

A bar means 90 may detachably and adjustably be connected at its opposite ends 91, 92 to vertical upright portions 30a and 404, respectively. The bar means 90 may have suspended therefrom a plurality of climing rope means 93 through 96. These provide aplurality of means for conducting races, relays etc. The embodiment of FIG. -1 illustrates the simple, convenient and economic structural arrangement of my invention which provides adaptability to various locations, and stimulates interest. Thus, simplicity and economy are inherent in the fact that the main elements of the apparatus are relatively inexpensive rope type means and chain-link means which may be easily secured between upper and lower supporting means. The upper and lower securing means may be any stable load bearing points of widely varying spacing and arrangement. For example, in a gymnasium with exposed beams the upper support means 11, 21, 31 and 41 may be simple beam clamps. The lower support means 12, 22, 32 and 42 may, in such situation, be 'floor plates, heavy weights, or other load bearing connections. The adaptability is further illustrated by the fact that the points of upper and lower support may be in any arrangement and bear no specific relationship of one to the other. For example, the apparatus may be strung between two buildings, outside, inside between opposite walls of a gymnasium, and in fact anywhere where two or more upper support members and two or more lower support means may be found. F urthermore, the equipment may be easily taken down and put in these varied locations.

Individual pieces of physical education equipment spread about a gym or play area lack the integrated rope concept which literally ties the activities together in a simple geometrically defined area. The

. domastoid, levator scapulae and splenius. Any time the body position has been changed, as for example, from vertical to horizontal, and even though some of the same muscles are being'used, it has been found that the angle pull or force and leverage-are changed/This means certain muscle fibers would be more active in one position than in another, even though the movements of the user may appear similar.

It must be emphasized again that FIG. 1 is but one embodiment and that other advantageous variations may be effected. As an example, the points of connection 61, 62 of the member 60 may be raised from their position intermediate the portions b and 40b and moved to the point of connection 14 and '44 of the upright vertical members 10 and, 40 with the upper support member 11 and 41, respectively. On the other hand the upright vertical members mayinclude a single member extending above these points of connection 14, 44 to accommodate a variation in height of the' upper support member 11 or 41, forexample. In other variations the upright supporting means 10, 20, 30 and 40 may be at an angle to the playing field F such, as for Examples of the flexibility of use whereby large and- /or varied members of users may be easily accommodated are as follows. Thus, participants may be required to start from. a point adjacent the ground support 12, for example, climp up the upright support portion 10b, crawl down the element to the first end of the ladder 70, negotiate the ladder 70 to the end 72,

climb back up the element to the point 66 or above I from which point the participant transfers from the portion 20b to the portion 20a and to the beam or bar means 50 at which point various exercises such as chinups, and others common to the swing and/or rings may be performed after which the participant may climb down the lower segment of the portion 10a to the starting point 12. As shown by the arrangement in FIG. 4 a pair of ladder means 250, 260 may be substituted for the ladder means 70 so that separate relay circuits, for example, 210-250-220-210 and 240-260-230-240 may be utilized for competitive relay events. Another variation not illustrated could consist of a plurality of climbing rope means arranged in a circuitous spiral path around three or more upright vertical members.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an arrangement wherein three upright supporting members 110, I20 and extend between upper and lower supports with various members 112, 114 and 116, for example, interconnected therebetween. Againin FIG. 3, upright supporting members 150, 160, and have thin flexible members 151 through 156 interconnected therebetween at the same or various levels to provide additional areas of exercise or paths of travel for the participants.

FIG. 4 illustrates in plan view a further variation of the apparatus arrangement of FIG. 1 where the upright supporting members 210, 220, 230 and 240 are positioned at the corners of a rectangle. Thin flexible ,elements 211 through 214 may be positioned therebetween and, as shown, additional members 215 and 216 may be separately provided for the ladders 250 and 260. If desired, further members 217 and 218 may be applied between-the elements 211 and 250 and 21-3 and 260.

From the above described arrangements of the invention it may be understood that a great variety of muscle development may be effected by the various combinations of activities which will be carried out in a prearranged sequential pattern and under conditions where interest and enjoyment are stimulated.

FIG. 5 illustrates another-embodiment of myinvention wherein several of the four vertical support members 310, 320, 330 and 340 are fashioned from a plurality of large interlinked membersso that they may serve as a ladder means whereby the users may quickly ascend to one of the many levels of interconnecting rope members. The vertical members 310, 320, 330 and 340 have their ends secured by upper and lower supportingshown in parallel relationship to provide three paths or circuits for climbing in the manner as shown, for example, by the individual 350 on the member 344 are provided. In an alternate form of use the individual may wire walk on the element 344 using the members 345 and/or 346 as a safety hold means. Again, the possibilities of use are very broad.

From the foregoing description of my invention it may be seen that l have developed a gymnastic apparatus which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, is highly adaptable to various installations, is flexible in use to develop a wide range of body muscles, is simple and economical to install and stimulates interest and use in persons.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come withinthe scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A physical education muscle development apparatus comprising at least three generally upright thin elongated flexible rope supporting means each having an upper and lower portion, no more than two of said rope supporting means being disposed in the same vertical plane, a plurality of climbing rope means enabling a person to move himself therealong in a generally horizontal direction by the use of his arms and legs, each of said climbing rope means being generally horizontally suspended between each of said adjacent upright supporting means and connected thereto intermediate said upper and lower portions by a disparate connector whereby a person may climb along each of said climbing rope means between said upright supporting means by the use of his arms and legs.

2. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said upright supporting means has said upper portion affixed to an upper suspension means to suspend it therefrom and said lower end affixed to a lower end stabilizing means.

3. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 including at least 3 upright supporting means having at least three of said climbing rope means connected therebetween.

4. A physical education apparatus according to claim 3 wherein at least two of said climbing rope means have a generally horizontally disposed ladder means suspended therefrom.

5. A physical education apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said climbing rope means additionally has a swing and ring means suspended therefrom.

6. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said upright supporting means has a climbing means associated therewith, said climbing means including a ladder-like means whereby an individual may climb thereon to reach said climbing rope means.

7. A physical education apparatus according to claim 6 wherein at least one of said upright supporting means is a chain of interconnected large ring-like structures also form said ladder-like structure.

8. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a first, second, third and fourth of said upright supporting means are positioned at the first, second, third and fourth corners of a quadrilateral, respectively, a first climbing rope means extending between said first, and second upright supporting means, a second climbing rope means extending between said second and third upright supporting means, a third climbing rope means extending between said third and fourth I upright supporting means and a fourth climbing rope means extending between said fourth and first upright supporting means.

9. A physical education apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first climbing rope means include a rigid bar means forming a portion thereof, said second and fourth climbing rope means having a ladder means extending therebetween with a first end of said ladder means connected to said second climbing rope means and a second end of said ladder means connected to aid fourth climbing rope means, a first stabilizing means extending between said first end of said ladder means and said second and third upright supporting means and a second stabilizing member ex-tending between said second end and said first and fourth upright supporting means.

10. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said upright supporting means is at least in part a chain link material, said climbing rope means being connected to said supporting means by adjustable connection means, said chain link material providing at least a portion of the adjustable connection means therealong. 

1. A physical education muscle development apparatus comprising at least three generally upright thin elongated flexible rope supporting means each having an upper and lower portion, no more than two of said rope supporting means being disposed in the same vertical plane, a plurality of climbing rope means enabling a person to move himself therealong in a generally horizontal direction by the use of his arms and legs, each of said climbing rope means being generally horizontally suspended between each of said adjacent upright supporting means and connected thereto intermediate said upper and lower portions by a disparate connector whereby a person may climb along each of said climbing rope means between said upright supporting means by the use of his arms and legs.
 2. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of sAid upright supporting means has said upper portion affixed to an upper suspension means to suspend it therefrom and said lower end affixed to a lower end stabilizing means.
 3. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 including at least 3 upright supporting means having at least three of said climbing rope means connected therebetween.
 4. A physical education apparatus according to claim 3 wherein at least two of said climbing rope means have a generally horizontally disposed ladder means suspended therefrom.
 5. A physical education apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said climbing rope means additionally has a swing and ring means suspended therefrom.
 6. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said upright supporting means has a climbing means associated therewith, said climbing means including a ladder-like means whereby an individual may climb thereon to reach said climbing rope means.
 7. A physical education apparatus according to claim 6 wherein at least one of said upright supporting means is a chain of interconnected large ring-like structures also form said ladder-like structure.
 8. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a first, second, third and fourth of said upright supporting means are positioned at the first, second, third and fourth corners of a quadrilateral, respectively, a first climbing rope means extending between said first, and second upright supporting means, a second climbing rope means extending between said second and third upright supporting means, a third climbing rope means extending between said third and fourth upright supporting means and a fourth climbing rope means extending between said fourth and first upright supporting means.
 9. A physical education apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first climbing rope means include a rigid bar means forming a portion thereof, said second and fourth climbing rope means having a ladder means extending therebetween with a first end of said ladder means connected to said second climbing rope means and a second end of said ladder means connected to aid fourth climbing rope means, a first stabilizing means extending between said first end of said ladder means and said second and third upright supporting means and a second stabilizing member ex-tending between said second end and said first and fourth upright supporting means.
 10. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said upright supporting means is at least in part a chain link material, said climbing rope means being connected to said supporting means by adjustable connection means, said chain link material providing at least a portion of the adjustable connection means therealong.
 11. A physical education muscle development apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of climbing rope means are arranged in a circuitous helical path around said upright supporting means.
 12. A physical education apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of climbing rope means include two generally parallel lengths extending between a pair of said upright supporting means. 